Emergency responders on both sides of the border were sent scrambling to the Detroit River Friday afternoon following reports of a capsized boat.

But what triggered the marine emergency response to the icy waters just off the foot of Askin Avenue was actually an orphaned navigational buoy. The way the large orange marker appeared, however — partly projecting out of the water and tilting downriver with an underbelly of ice — it could have been mistaken for a semi-submerged kayak or canoe.

There was enough initial concern that a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter was dispatched from the American side for a closer inspection from the air. Windsor police, fire and ambulance crews were also dispatched to the shoreline.

“Thank God it’s not real,” one Windsor police officer at the scene said of the non-emergency.

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Essex MP Jeff Watson confirmed Saturday that the federally-owned Paul Martin Building will be sold to the city for $1 and converted into a law school building for the University Windsor, as previously reported by The Windsor Star.

Essex MP Jeff Watson announced Saturday that the federal government will invest $3.5 million to "make FINA a success." He made the announcement at the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre on behalf of Sports Minister Bal Gosal.

Now so much more than a pleasant break from long distance highway driving, the MS Chi-Cheemaun ferry has become a trip highlight for visitors exploring Manitoulin Island, Bruce Peninsula and Tobermory.